The Fat Loss TroubleshootThis is your place to troubleshoot your fat loss problems from nutrition to training. This section is led by Leigh Peele, author of "The Fat Loss Troubleshoot," the ultimate fat loss manual. If your results have slowed or stalled this is the place to come for advice for all your fat loss needs.
Leigh, or anyone who has experienced something similar...
is there any reason that fish oils could alter/effect hormones and menstrual cycles?
recently my sister (24years old) started taking fish oils. after she started taking it, she started having issues with acne - something she'd not had prior to taking the pills. her period, which is usually regular (in that she could predict it's arrival down to the day) came almost two weeks early and caused her more cramping and was heavier than she had ever experienced. she was convinced these things were caused by the fish oils and stopped taking them. the acne went away, and her cycle returned to its regular length.
What is the rest of her diet like
Had she previously been extra low or extra high in fat
i couldn't tell you.
my sister is an "intuitive eater".
she doesn't track anything that she eats, she doesn't diet, she doesn't gain weight.
she eats different foods each day and her fat, protein and carb intake varies everyday because of that.
I know someone from another forum that had the same experience with fish oil. I also noticed that when I was taking 10 caps, my skin started breaking out a little, which is extremely rare for me. When I cut back to 5 caps, it cleared up.
Fish oil can also increase the risk of bleeding in "high" doses. I'm not sure if that would cause a heavier menstrual cycle or not.
Is it a straight oil supplement or capsules? As well, is it just omega 3 or does it include 6 & 9?
Omega 3s/ EPAs, DHAs & ALAs have anti-inflammatory effects (thus are excellent to take for healthy skin and to reduce acne which is a form of inflammation). 6 & 9 tend to promote inflammation (which is good in some circumstances) and thus can cause or exacerbate breakouts & acne.
Personally, I recommend going with liquid, cold-water fish oil. Most companies tend to add a hint of natural flavour like lemon which makes it palatable. She also needs to be conscious of the dose when taking it in oil form. As Leigh showed us with peanut butter, she should measure accurately to make sure she's not taking in too much. If it's for general health without a targeted purpose 1,200-1,600mg of omega 3s is ample. Not to slip in promotion, but the oil I've used for years and suggest to clients is Carlson (their "Very Finest Oil"). You can find it at Whole Foods, but you can probably find it much cheaper elsewhere.
Is it a straight oil supplement or capsules? As well, is it just omega 3 or does it include 6 & 9?
Omega 3s/ EPAs, DHAs & ALAs have anti-inflammatory effects (thus are excellent to take for healthy skin and to reduce acne which is a form of inflammation). 6 & 9 tend to promote inflammation (which is good in some circumstances) and thus can cause or exacerbate breakouts & acne.
Personally, I recommend going with liquid, cold-water fish oil. Most companies tend to add a hint of natural flavour like lemon which makes it palatable. She also needs to be conscious of the dose when taking it in oil form. As Leigh showed us with peanut butter, she should measure accurately to make sure she's not taking in too much. If it's for general health without a targeted purpose 1,200-1,600mg of omega 3s is ample. Not to slip in promotion, but the oil I've used for years and suggest to clients is Carlson (their "Very Finest Oil"). You can find it at Whole Foods, but you can probably find it much cheaper elsewhere.
LaraT: it could also just be a reaction to the brand or type you were taking. I can't say for sure though. Especially in capsules there tends to be more additives, but everyone reacts differently. It's hard to say
Wilburaz: with the brand I take (which is Carlson) I take 1 teaspoon which works out to 1,600mg and seems to work well for me. When I was taking it for acne and when I had torn my MCL,ACl & menisci it was raised (as well as incorporating 6&9s for the injury).
Nutrition is a bit like working out; you need to have a purpose or goal in mind. That can influence what type you take and how much of it. That's where it can be hard to give "general" recommendations. The other issue is that products vary by manufacturer (in regards to quality, quantity and additives) and everyone reacts differently (especially pending on how and when they take supplements and in conjunction with what kinds of foods... something as simple as the acidity of gut flora can influence whether you absorb calcium supplements properly, not to mention whether it's from a source that is easily absorbed (even though kale is high in calcium, the body doesn't absorb it efficiently) or if it is paired with adequate vit.D... I think you can see where I'm going with this).
Thanks Jenn! I think right now I will just take enough for "general nutrition", although I will start training for a half marathon soon...do you think I should increase the dosage at that time? Thanks!
Do you have an idea how much she was taking? Did she also try changing her diet in any other way simultaneously? Any other supps?
Heavier bleeding could be related to fish oil acting as a slight blood thinner, but she could have had a condition she didn't know about (like a small cyst breaking and hurting her with an early period). It could be any number of things.
I know someone from another forum that had the same experience with fish oil. I also noticed that when I was taking 10 caps, my skin started breaking out a little, which is extremely rare for me. When I cut back to 5 caps, it cleared up.
Fish oil can also increase the risk of bleeding in "high" doses. I'm not sure if that would cause a heavier menstrual cycle or not.
was that me?
I just saw this and thought of answering.
I break out right away as soon as I take fish oils.
Do you have an idea how much she was taking? Did she also try changing her diet in any other way simultaneously? Any other supps?
Heavier bleeding could be related to fish oil acting as a slight blood thinner, but she could have had a condition she didn't know about (like a small cyst breaking and hurting her with an early period). It could be any number of things.
she was taking 3/day - as the bottle recommended. this clearly is not a high dose.
she didn't change anything else in her diet. nor did she add any other supplements.
my sister is not into tracking her diet and taking supplments. she maintains a very healthy body weight by eating whatever she wants and without doing formal exercise. she doesn't eat low fat foods, or overload on veggies as fillers. she eats like a normal person - no food is off limits.
she doesn't have any other conditions that effect her health or her menstrual cycle.
as far as fish oils being estrogenic... what does that mean?
she was taking 3/day - as the bottle recommended. this clearly is not a high dose.
she didn't change anything else in her diet. nor did she add any other supplements.
my sister is not into tracking her diet and taking supplments. she maintains a very healthy body weight by eating whatever she wants and without doing formal exercise. she doesn't eat low fat foods, or overload on veggies as fillers. she eats like a normal person - no food is off limits.
she doesn't have any other conditions that effect her health or her menstrual cycle.
as far as fish oils being estrogenic... what does that mean?
estrogenic meaning increasing levels of estrogen in blood. I believe I read somewhere that it can do this, like soy does. Or perhaps that was just in relation to flax seeds/oils? It had to do with Omega 3's and estrogen but now I am not certain if they were discussing fish oils or flaxseed oils.
Hm, there is a lot of crap to recycle through to get to the good stuff. I will be reading more on that, but there have been studies that link flax seeds (not oil) to estrogen lowering? I will pop back in here if I find anything worth sharing.
Fish Oils and Menstruation
Linear Mode
